Dish-receiver.



B. R. PABRY. DISH BBOEIYEB.

nruornol nun 1:11.18. 1on1.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

8 EERSTE-SHEET 1.

B. B.. PABRY. DISH RECEIVER.

nrmonxcx Hum nn. 1a, 1901.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

l SHEETS-IEEE? I.

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l. l. PARRY. DIER RECEIVER.

LIYLIOATIOI FILED lll. 18, 1907. 904,010. Patented Nov.17,19os.

A o l a Innen-aum a. 'I'

nl l annu "'10: :u 1m-mmv #c 0 a Heresy-arme n. e, einen UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT R. PARRY, F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T() AUTOMATIC HOTEL SERVICE C0.,

CORPORATION OF MAINE.

DISH-RECEIVER.

Speclcstion of Lettera Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

Appllcltlon ld latch 18, 1907. Serial No. 888,097.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Bc it known that I, ROBERT R. Panni', a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, Bronx borough, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dish- Receivers, which improvements are fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dish receivers, the same being available for receiving dishes when cleansed by mechanical or other means.

The object of this invention is to provide a dish receiver which shall be simple and comparatively inex nsive as regards cunstruction; which sha lembody novel selective features whereby the receiver is rendered capable of receiving and teinporaril storing dishes of various sizes, contours an depths; which shall be durable, efficient and reliable in practical service; and which shall possess certain well-defined advantages over prior analogous constructions.

The invention consists in the novel conibinations, details and parts whereby, together with the novel relative disposition of said parts, the attainment of the foregoing object is rendered practicable, all of which will be more s citically referred to hereinafter and set lhith in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustratedin the accompanyin drawings, wherein like reference-miniera s denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, as to which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a dish receiver constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detail sectional view, the section being taken along the line -az of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is an enlarged, detail sectional view, the .-'aection bei taken along the line y-y of F l, 5 is an enlarged. detail sectional view, t e section being taken along the lino 2-3 of Fig. 1.

In n general sense my present invention miprises a channel for the reception of dishes; means for feeding dishes, one after the (ther, into slid channel; and means for fonding each dish as it Mimes a plonnf l within said channel, against impact from the next following dish.

It further comprises, in a general sense, a plurality of channels, each for receiving dishes of a particular size, contour or death; means for feeding dishes for delivery into Fig. 2 is a side, elevation thereof.I

said channels; and selective means for insuring the delivery to and into any one of said channels, of dishes of the particular size, contour or depth for the reception of which such channel is provided.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings, I provide, in carrtying outl my invention, feed mechanism for eeding dishes irrespective of the size, contour or de th thereof, for delivery into my improved ish receiver proper, such feed mechanism comprising, in this instance, opposing rollas 2, 3, on which operates an endless apron 4, said rollers being journaled, respectively, in a suitable frame-structure, here shown as consisting of opposing side-pieces 5, 6, and an end-piece 7, connecting said side-pieces, and suitable means, as the legs 8, 9, 10, and 11, being provided for supporting said frame-structure.

Any approved means may be availed of for imparting movement to either of the rollers aforenamed, and hence to the apron 4. In this connection, however, I purpose to extend one of said rollers, as 2, outwardly from the frame-structure in which it bears, and provide the same with a sheave or pulley 12, on which operates a belt 13, in communication with any appropriate source of power and motion.

For the reception from the apron 4, of circular and comparatively shallow dishes, as

plates, saucers. and the like, I rovide a primary receiving trough 14. his trough is arranged at an inclination downwardly from the plane ofthe apron 4, extends only partially along the delivery point 15, thereof, and hence receives dishes only from a corresponding rt-ion widthwiseof said apron. The trough0 interiorly with a facing or cushion 16, of sheet rubber, or other suitable material, and is continued in its downward inclination to form a box-like head 17, which communicates with a temporary storage channel 18, by wa of a suitable opening 19, formed in the adiiant, laterally inclined 'wall of the bend 17.

The laterally inclined wall aforenamed, of the head 17, is rounded or curved somewhat at the approach t3 the opening 19, as clearly indicated in the drawings.

The channel 18`is arranged at an inclination downwardly from the opening 19, and is formed by duly assembling appropriate side-members, an end-member at the lowerI extremity thereof, and a suitable bottom porl tion, as also clearly indicated in the drawj ghe head 17 and channel 18 are, respectively, provided, by preference, with an intel rior facing or cush1on,'similar to 16, of sheetl rubber, or other suitable material. Hence, motion having been imparted to the a ron 4, a circular, shallow dish placed or de ivered uion said apron will he delivered thereby x c gewise to and into the primary receiving trough 14, whereupon said dish, always inclining against the inclined wall of said f trough adjacent to said apron, will voluntarily undergo a rolling movement downi wardly along the trough 14, and still downwardly along the interior of the head 17, until it reaches the opening 19; whereupon, if its diameter relatiye to the height of the.V opening 19 be suitable, it will voluntarily f pass through said opening and into and i downwardly alongl the channel 18. Natuf rally, another dish of suitable diameter,v dc- 3 livered b-y the apron 4 into the trough 14, would correspondingly traverse the same course; but in the absence of means to avert such a contingency, the dish last to enter the channel 1S would engage the dish first entering said channel with a more or less hazardous impact, which would, in most if not all, instances result in the breakage and hence destruction of one or both of said dishes.

To obviate the foregoin objectionable results, I arrange at interva s along the channel 18. a series of movable fenders 20, each l capable of being automatically adjusted by a i dish traversing, and ultimately assuming a i position of rest within. said channel, in a l manner to fend such dish against impact i l l l from the next incoming dish.

The particular form of each of the fenders 20 may be widely varied as occasion may suggest or render advisable, the essential i function thereof being, each to fend one dish which shall have reached its destination l along the channel 18 against impact from the next following dis More specifically with reference to the fenders used in conjunction with the channel E 18, each is here shown as-being elongated and approximating the form of a lever, working i ou a pivot- 21. This specific form of fender provided, along and at one side of the channel 18; and such pockets are provided only to permit lateral deflection of the shallow dishes enteri v said channel and the presentation thereo facewise within the channel, f cach with respect toits ne' bor, thereby i economizing space. The poc ets 22 are arl ranged in a series. onesomewhat in advance of the pivotal point of each of said fenders, and of the latter each normally lies parallel with the channel 18, with its forward por tion closing the entrance to the pocket in conjunction with which it coperatcs.

Where the pockets 22 are employed 1t 1s i essential that means, as the deflector 23, be

provided at the lower terminus of the channel 18 for deflecting the dish first entering the channel into the lowermost pocket 22; and as the adjacent fender 20 normally spans the entrance to said pocket, it is engaged by said dish and thereby automatically adjusted so that its rear portion projects across the channel 18 proper, in such a manner as to fend the dish thus pocketed against impact from the next incomlng dish, and incidentally divert the latter into the neat uppermost pocket, and so on, as the dishes are received, one after the other, into said channel.

Any desired number of the pocketed channels 18, each of proper dimensions widthwise, and provided with a series of fenders 20, may be availed of; and where a plurality of such channels are availed of, they may be conveniently arranged each arallel with, and alongside its nelghbor, an within a general box-like structure 24, the latter being supported in any approved manner, as by means of pairs of legs 26, 27.

Under the foregoing arran4 ement of aV plurality of channels 18, the inc ined wall of the head 17, adjacent to such channels, is provided with an additional opening 25, by way of which communication is established between the head 17 and the channel 18 next adjacent to that between which and said head communication is established by way of the opening 19; but the opening 25l should be of greater height than the opening 19, to accommodate dishes of correspondingly greater diameter,-and so on with each succeeding opening made use of, of the character now under discussion, there being provided as many of these openings as there are channels 18, and the same serving as selective means for asserting the dishes coming into the head 17, and directing them into their proper channels according to the diametrlc size thereof.

In some instances an additional channel 18 may be provided to receive dishes direct from the head 17, provision being made to this end, Vpreferably by leavi the latter open at the end thereof most istant from t the trough 14, as clearly indicated in the nis desirable only where lateral pockets 22 are j drawings.

Attention -is here called to the het that the dishes delivered into the trough 14, by the apron 4, primarily assume therein, cada the .iso

5` nient of said structure 3T from the trough 14. l within said channel, against impactfrom 130 platters, and the like, I provide an additional channel 29, which in all essential details is a counterpart of any one of the channels 18, t-he sarnc` being arranged at an inclination downwardly from that side of the trough 14, opposite the apron 4, and being of suitable dimensions widthwise. I further provide within the channel 29 a series of fenders 30 which conform, each, in essential function and mode of operation, to any one. of thc fenders 20, the same being pivotally disposed, and serving each to fend a dish received and at rest within said channel.'

against impact from the next incomin dish delivered to said channel. More speci call y.

in this connection, each of the fenders 30 is fingered, substantially as shown in the draivf ings, or formed to normally intersect somewhat its neighbor, and operates on pivots at the points 31.32. Again.under normal con ditions, the fenders 30 form a proximately a false bottom for the charme 29; and as dishes are delivered, as through the medium i of the apron ll, and one after the other, into said channel, they voluntarily slide downward along said fenders thus normally arranged, the dish first to enter said channel,

consequently, reaching and passing slightly beyond the axis of movement of the lowermost fender 30, whereupon it tilts downdardly, takin the lowcrniost portion of said l fender with 1t,.and hence accordingly adjusting said fender so thatI its upper portion projects more or less upwardly at the rear of v said dish. and thus .serves to fend the latter against impact from the next incoming@ dish,tliis operation being repeated with the next higher normally arranged fender, i

by the action or' the next incoming dish, and so on throughout the entire series of fenders 30.

To insure the retention of each of the dishes received in the channel 29, in its tilted position. as above alluded to, and as clearly j shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, I arrange along the bottom of said channel, at suitable intervals apart, cleats 33. the same forming,

as it were, pockets 34, which correspond in ii. measure with the pockets 22, (Fig. 1), and

into each of which projects the lower edge of v :i dish. when received within the chlmielif) and tilted as stated.

Each of the cleats 33 is covered, by preference, with a strip of sheet-rubber 35, or other suitable materia The structure 37 forming the channel 29 may be attached to the trough 14 in any appropriate manner, as by providing the saine, at its upper end, witli'a cmss-piece 36, ha ry mg n pin 3S projecti f downwardly thci'e- A from, and into a suitab c opening formed in the adjacent. .side-portion of said trough, as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. This construction, as will be seen, permits ready detach- I ln relatively adjusting the fenders 30, for

the movement of dishes therealong, as hereinbefore referred to, this may be accoml plished by hand or in any other suitable manner.

To the side of the trough 14, adjacent to the upper end of the structure 37, there is i hinged a bridge 39, having a facing 40, of sheet-rubber or other suitable material, at its i inner side, and a like facing 41 atits outer j side, the facing`40 merging into a curtain 43, I which serves, in addition to the facing or i cushion 1G, to preventbreakage of any dishes delivered into the trough 14, as when l the bridge 39 occupies its upright. position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. Thron li l the medium of the hinges 44, however, the l bridge 39 may be turned downward, so as to span the trough 14, at an inclination from l the apron 4 downwardly to the entrance of ,l channel 2.9. as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. lVhen the bridge 39 occupies its last named position, the dishes delivered i thereto by the api'on 4. gra vitate downwardly 'along the upper side of said bridge, aci coi'dingly enter the channel 29, and accord- I ingly move downwardly along the normally arranged fenders 30. said dishes being delivered by the apron 4 to the lbridge 39 one after the other.

l Naturally. when the bridge 39 occupies its i upright position dishes may be delivered directly into the trough 14, as hereinbet'ore described.

Attention is here called to the fact that the bridge 39 serves. when spanning the f trough 14. as selective means fo. insuring I the delivery. in the operation of the apparatus as a whole, to and into the. channel 29, l of dishes of that particular type for the rei ception and temporary storage of which said l channel is provlded. A

Again, for the reception and temporary storage of dishes of that type commonly known as cups. bowls. and the like. l provide still an additional channel 45, the same being arranged in this instance parallel with and alongside of the channel 2S). and at an inclination downwardly from the delivery point of the apron el. and that portion of said apron which does not deliver into the trough 1l, delivery from said apron being accordingiy made directly into said channel 45. This last-named channel is of proper width to suit the purpose for which it is intended, and otherwise conforms in all essential del tails to the channel 29, or any one of the channels 18. I further arrange wit-hin, and at intervals along. the channel 45, a series of fenders 46. which conform. each, in essential function and mode of operation, to any one ofbhe fenders 1.120. or the fende's 30, the

same in ivota y disposed, an serving each to fnd) a dish received and at rest v'the next incoming dish delivered. to said E when the arts occupy the position indiof. This yoke 49 merely rests upon the opy posing side-members of the structure 48, the

channel. More specifically, in this conneccated in fu l lines in 1g. 1. Naturally the tion, and for convenience in the disposition free end of the brace 53 may be loosely and the channel 45 is formed, and the up er end of which bar engages a yoke 49, which spans the channel 45, at the upper end therebar 47, with its yoke 49, being thus rendered easily removable from the structure 48, whenever occasion may make the same desirable.l

The fenders 46 work, each, on a pivot 50, and are thus disposed at? intervals along the bar 47, and hence the channel 45. They approximate, eacli, a bell-crank in form, one of whose arms normally depends by its own gravity into the ath of the dishes coming into said channe Accordingly, the dish first to enter and more downwardly along said channel, engages the normally dependinr arms of said fender-sone after the other, li .ing each somewhat and releasing it for a return movement, as by its own gravity, until said dish shall have reached its position of rest within said channel, as at the lower end thereof; and in arriving at its said E position of rest, said dish will have moved l the lowermost fender 46 int-o substantially the position which the next higher fender 46 is shown as occupying in Fig. 3, and will continue to hold the saine in this position, with its other arm projecting somewhat into the path of the incoming dishes. Hence, the last-named arm of said lowermost fender is engaged by the next incoming dish, and is thereby moved towards and against the dish aforenamed next in advance thereof, where it serves to fend the latter against dangerous impact from said next incoming dish; and so on, throughout the entire series of fenders 46, as the dishes are fed, one by one, into thc channel 45.

'lhe fenders 46 are each formed from wood, or other suitable material.

It is desirable that. means be provided whereby dishes, intended for the channel 45, and delivered to that pfirtion of the apron 4 which otherwise delivers to the trough 14, or bridge 39, may be deiiected towards and for entranceinto the channel 45; and in this connection I provide a bar 51, removably or shitaoly secured at one of its ends, as at the point 52, to the side-piece 6, (Fig. 1), and projecting therefrom obliquely across and smnewhat above the apron 4, its free end terminating :it the entrance. to the chamxel 45. I also provide. by preference, a brace 523,

which is temporarily .secured tightly to the l bnr 51, in any approved manner, as by means of a thumb-nut 54, and whose free end abuts l even removably secured to said side-piece,

in any common and well known manner.

In practice, the bar 51, with its brace`5-l3,A

in dot-ted lines in Fig. 1, and hence out of the way of any dishes carried by and moving with the apron 4; or, shallow dishes, as plates, saucers, and the like, may pass under the same, even when adjusted for the deflection of deeper dishes, as cups, bowls, and the like, in the direction of the channel 45. In this connection attention is called to the fact that the defiector or bar 51 serves as selective means for insuring the deliveryT to and into the channel 45 of dishes of that particular type for the reception and storage of which said channel is provided. It is further pointed out that the fenders made use of in conjunction with the several storage channels of the apparatus, are automatic-all y actuated, each by a. dish received in the channel whereat such fender is located, and accordingly set or adjusted so as to fend such dish against darlilgerous impact from the next incoming dis The o ration of my improved dish receiver will be apparent from t ie foregoing description thereof; and While the same is more particularly intended for service in conjunction with a mechanical ccnstruction for washin dishes, and which shall be capable of de ivering to the apron 4 the dishes treated thereby, it is obvious that dishes may be otherwise delivered to the apron 4, as by the hand of an attendant, duly assorted as to size, contouror depth,l and accordingly delivered into the various storage channels of the construction as a whole.

It will be. seen that my improved dish receiver is particularly well adapted for the purposes for which it is intended, and further that the same may be modified to a. considcrable extent, particularly as regards the character of the selective means made use of, the specific form of the various fenders availed of, and various minor details 0f the general romtruction, without materially departing from the spirit and principle of my invention.

I claim:

1. A dish receiver comprising a channe nel against direct impact from the next incoming dish.

2. A dish receiver comprising a plurality of channels for the reception and temporary storage of dishes; means for feeding various against the inner side of the side-piece 6, i types of dishes for delivery, one after the 13o adapted to be automatically adjusted, eacli by a dish when approaching` its position of rest within the channel, and so as to fend said dish against direct impact from the dish next coming into and moving along id channel.

4. A dish receiver comprising a plurality of channels 'for the reception and temporary storage of dishes; means for feeding various types of dishes for delivery, one after the other, into said channels; and selective means for insuring the delivery of the respective types ot' dishes thas fed. into the channel or channels provided to receive the saine, each of said channels having a series of fenders pivotally disposed at intervals therealong. and said fenders being adapted to be aiuoniaticlly adjusted. each by a dish when approaching its position of rest within said channel, and so as to fend said dish against direct impact from the dish next coming into and moving along said channe.

fi. A dish receiver comprising a primary receiving trough: means for feeding dishes therein, one after the other: a channel for the reception and temporary storage of the dishes thiis l'ed into said trough. the latter commuiiicating with said channel; and

means for lending each dish `when at resi dishes: leed mechanism tor feeding dishes vvitbiii said channel. against direct impact l'roin the dish next coming iiiio said channel.

G. dish receiver coiii|irising a primary receiving trough: means for feeding dishes therein. one after the other; a channel l'or the reception and tcinporar) istorage of the dishes thus fed; a box-like head intermediate of said channel and said trough. and establishing coininiinication between ihein: and means for fending cach dish. when at rest Within said channel. against direct impact from the dish ne. coming into said channel.

T. A dish receiver comprising a channel of channels for the recept-ion and temporary storage of dishes; means for feeding various I v es of dishes for delivery. one after the ot ier, into said channels, the latter being provided each with a. series of pockets, each t'or the reception o one of the dishes aforenamed; a series'of fenders inovahly disposed, one at each of 'said pockets, and adapted to be antoniatically adjusted each hy a dish entering any one of said pockets; and selective means for insurin' the delivery of the respective types of dishes thus fed, into the channel or channels provided to receive the same.

Si. .t dish receiver comprising a primary receiving trough :a plurality of channels for the reception andv temporary storage of dishes: :i box-like head intermediate of said channels. respectively. and said trough. and communicating `\vit h the latter. said head having a series of openings varying in dimensions and wherein comuninicatioii is established between said box-like head and each ol said channels. respectively; and

means for feeding dishes into said trough Jr'or ultimate delivery into said channels, by way of the said bm: like head and the r spec-tive openings therein.

l0. dish receiver comprising a channel t'oi the reception :ind tciiiporanv storage of dishes: feed mechanism. for feeding dishes. one after the other. for delivery into said channel: a bridgejrbetiveeii said feed mechanism and said channel and meansl for fendiiig each dish. when at rest. within said cliannel. against direct impact from the next' incoming dish.

l1. A dish receiver comprising a channel for the reception'and tciiiporai'v storage of l'or delivery into lsaid channel: and :i displaccable bridge4v the latter serving to establish coiiiniiinication'between said feed meehanisin and said channel.

l2. A dish receiver comprising a channel for the receptionaiid temporary storage of dishes: a primaryv .receiving trough: a boxlilt'e head. thc latter establishing communi-` e cation between said channel and said trough,

for the reception and temporary storage of dishes: means for feeding dishes. one after l' 1mg dishes for delires-v into said channel;

lla` other. into said channel. the latter being provided with a. series of pockets. each for the recept ion of one of said dishes: and a scries of emlers,11w latter movahly disguised one at each of sain imckets. aindadapted to he automatically adjusted. each hy a dish when entering one of -said pockets. and so as to fend such dish against direct impact from the dish next coming into said channel.

S. dish receiver comprising a plurality said channel. box-like head and trough being interiorly cushioned. respectively; and means 1 for feeding (li-lies into said trough.

13. ln a dish receiver, in uiniliination, a channel for tht-reception and temporary storage of dishes: an endless apron for feedand means for actuating .said apron.

H. In :i dish receiver. in cianliination, :in endless apron forl feeding dishes: means for actuating .said apron: a channel leading' from said aproinand in continiuiication with only a portion thereof: and means for dellecting dishes' front the remaining portion j of said apron tow-ard. :ind for delivery into,

said channel.

ln a dish receiver, in combination, a primary receiving trough; feed mechanism for feeding dishes therein; a bridge, hinged to .said trough; a channel for receivingdishes from said bridge; and channels for receiving dishes from said trough, said bridge, when spanning said trough serving to direct dishes coming from said feed mechanism into the channel first above named, and ac- 1 eordingly i'evcnttheir entrance into said trough2 an when not, s )aiming said trough, j ierinittin the delivery y said feed mechanism of dis es therein.

16. Iii a dish-receiver, in combination,

i'uptedly with said mechanism.

ROBERT R. PARRY. Witnesses:

lV. H. RUBY, H. M. TnoiiPsoN. 

